Skip to content
    skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    Listen

    On Air Now

    Alan Titchmarsh 7am - 10am

    Alan Titchmarsh

    Now Playing

    Gloria in D major RV.589 (1) Antonio Vivaldi

    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Lifestyle
    • Win
    • Charity
    • Podcasts
    • Events
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Twitter
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Discover Music

    • Discover Music Home
    • Periods & Genres
    • Occasions
    • Mood
    • Instruments
    • Music Theory
    • Learning
    • Humour
    • Women in Music
    • More Classic FM

    17 incredible pictures of military bands throughout history

    Facebook share Twitter share

    At the centre of some of the world's biggest events, the humble military band has been providing the soundtrack throughout history. Here are some stunning pictures of them in action.

    1. vintage military band pictures

      1. Alexandra Palace, London, 1937

      Wearing military uniform and peaked cap a small boy stands on a large stone urn as he conducts during Brass Band Day at Alexandra Palace, north London. Photo: Getty

    2. vintage military band pictures

      2. British band, Cologne, 1925

      A British military band and troops marching through the snow in the streets of Cologne, shortly before the evacuation of the city. Photo: Getty

    3. vintage military band pictures

      3. Serbia, 1909

      A military band ready to lead the Serbian Army into battle. Photo: Getty

    4. vintage military band pictures

      4. Celebrating England's World Cup win, 1966

      A military band march onto the pitch at Wembley Stadium to help the team celebrate England's victory in the 1966 World Cup final, 30th July 1966. Photo: Getty

    5. vintage military band pictures

      5. The Delhi Military Band, 1961

      The Delhi Military Band march and play. Photo: Getty

    6. vintage military band pictures

      6. An Italian band in London, 1918

      A crowd line the pavements to see an Italian military band march through the streets of London. Photo: Getty

    7. vintage military band pictures

      7. Bolshevik uprising, 1917

      A crowd gathers with band and banners outside the Council hall in Kouna Lutherania, during the uprising of Bolsheviks. Photo: Getty

    8. vintage military band pictures

      8. Manchester, 1890

      Crowds in Market Street, Manchester, where a military brass band is parading. Photo: Getty

    9. vintage military band pictures

      9. Grenadier Guards, 1860

      Drummers of the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, 1860. Photo: Getty

    10. vintage military band pictures

      10. French Regiment band, 1910

      The military band of the French regiment of the Chasseurs d'Aj Blidah. Photo: Getty

    11. vintage military band pictures

      11. Marching through Aldershot, 1912

      A military band leads the march at the County of London Territorials Camp at Aldershot, Hampshire. Photo: Getty

    12. vintage military band pictures

      12. Sandhurst band, 1960

      Musicians from the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall playing at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Berkshire. Photo: Getty

    13. vintage military band pictures

      13. Turkish military band, 1922

      A Turkish military band playing at Smyrna, now Izmir, in Turkey, September 1922. Photo: Getty

    14. vintage military band pictures

      14. A neutral concert, 1914

      German and Russian troops in a neutral area during a concert by a German military band. Photo: Getty

    15. vintage military band pictures

      15. The Guards, Westminster, 1932

      The Guards from their depot at Wallington Barracks on their way to Salisbury Plain for manoeuvres. They cross the Thames near Westminster. Photo: Getty

    16. vintage military band pictures

      16. Regimental band, Duppel, 1864

      The regimental band and men of the 35th Infantry Regiment in an advanced position at Duppel, during the war between Prussia (allied with Austria) and Denmark. Photo: Getty

    17. vintage military band pictures

      17. Belgian band in London, 1918

      A Belgian military band in London carrying their instruments in cases. Photo: Getty

    Facebook share Twitter share

    Discover music

    See more Discover music

    Tone Deaf Comics theory sheet

    This genius music theory cheat sheet is all you’ll ever need

    11 hours ago

    What are the lyrics to ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana?

    What are the lyrics to ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana?

    15 hours ago

    Hardest piano pieces

    These are the hardest pieces ever written for the piano

    16 hours ago

    Beethoven meme

    A maths teacher accidentally made a music meme that trolled the world

    17 hours ago

    Andrew Lloyd Webber at the 2016 Broadway revival of CATS

    Andrew Lloyd Webber: wife, children, musicals and everything you need to know

    20 hours ago

    Lloyd Webber

    Be Thou My Vision has Irish origins – pictured, Letterkenny cathedral in Donegal, Ireland

    Be Thou My Vision: what are the lyrics and who wrote the hymn?

    21 hours ago

    Best classical music

    See more Best classical music

    10 pieces of classical music that will 100% change your life

    10 pieces of classical music that will 100% change your life

    4 eras of classical music

    The 4 eras of classical music: a quick guide

    The 15 most famous tunes in classical music

    The 15 most famous tunes in classical music

    Women composers gallery

    21 of the greatest women composers in classical music

    Best pianists of all time

    The 25 best pianists of all time

    Some of history's greatest composers were part of the LGBTQ+ community.

    15 LGBTQ+ composers in classical music history that you probably already know

    Classic FM Live Playlists

    See more Classic FM Live Playlists

    Classic FM Relax

    Classic FM Hall of Fame

    Classic FM Music for Pets

    Essential Classical

    Classic FM Video Game Music

    Classic FM Revision

    Browse by

    See more Browse by

    Periods & genres

    Occasions

    Moods

    Instruments

    Trending on Classic FM

    The best classical music playlists to suit your every mood

    The best classical music playlists to suit your every mood

    Angela Rayner, Dominic Raab and a controversial Mozart opera

    The Mozart Marriage of Figaro “mic drop” moment, as UK deputy leaders clash over opera and class

    Mozart

    Freddie De Tommaso is a leading tenor of his generation.

    Who is Freddie De Tommaso? Everything you need to know about the young star tenor

    Lizzo plays virtuosic flute solo for James Corden in Carpool Karaoke sketch.

    Lizzo whips out a virtuosic 19th-century flute solo in Carpool Karaoke sketch with James Corden

    Doreen Carwithen is the step great-grandmother of Joe Alwyn, actor and long-term partner of Taylor Swift

    The world’s first fully-professional female film composer – with a surprising connection to Taylor Swift

    Most relaxing pieces of classical music

    10 most relaxing pieces of classical music

    The most relaxing classical violin music ever written

    The most relaxing classical violin music ever written

    Zeb Soanes to host Smooth Classics at Seven on Classic FM

    Broadcaster Zeb Soanes to host Smooth Classics at Seven, weekdays on Classic FM

    Remembering George Walker (1922 – 2018)

    Remembering George Walker, the first Black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music

    A group trumpet lesson at a primary school

    Schools should offer at least ‘one hour of music a week’ – new music education plan revealed

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • Listen to Global Player
    • Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM
    • Christmas Songs
    • Music for Pets
    • Quizzes
    • Handel
    • Debussy
    • Music theory
    • Instruments
    • Brahms
    • Vivaldi
    • Bach
    • Tchaikovsky
    • Chopin
    • Andrea Bocelli
    • Beethoven
    • Mozart
    • Best classical music
    • Classic FM Live
    • Classic FM Requests
    • Best pianists
    • Harry Potter music
    • Saturday Night at the Movies
    • Star Wars soundtrack
    • Composer or pasta
    • Music for Studying
    • Best violinists
    • Classical music tearjerkers
    • Relaxing classical

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise
    • Global Jobs

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Twitter
    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2022
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager